⚠️ Reference & Statistical Notice: Data presented on RunwayFacts is compiled from public domain aviation registries for technical comparison and research. Not for flight planning or real-time operational aviation use.
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Data source: OurAirports (2026-09-01 Snapshot) · Methodology & Verification →

Chania International Airport

Souda, Crete (Greece)
IATA: CHQ ICAO: LGSA
Longest Active Runway
10,982 ft
3,347 meters
Field Elevation
490 ft
149 m MSL
Runway Inventory
1 active
Lighted / Paved
Coordinates & Class
35.5312°, 24.1507°
LARGE AIRPORT
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Multi-Universe Rankings & Statistical Standing

Ranking Universes Guide →
RunwayFacts Published Dataset
#390 of 650
In curated primary commercial index
Global Commercial Universe
#619 of 7558
Top 8.2% percentile worldwide
National Standing (Greece)
#3 in GR
#5 of 42 in full national registry
vs Large Airport Median
+9.8%
Compared to 10,000 ft baseline
💡 Statistical Statement: Chania International Airport's longest active runway measures 10,982 ft (3,347 m). Within RunwayFacts' published index of 650 aerodromes, it ranks #390. Across the broader global dataset of 7558 commercial facilities, it ranks #619 worldwide (Top 8.2%) and #3 nationally in Greece.
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Editorial Aerodrome Deep Dive: Chania International Airport (CHQ)

Curated Aerodrome Profile

Chania International Airport (Ioannis Daskalogiannis) occupies a strategic promontory overlooking Souda Bay on the island of Crete. Its 10,990 ft runway comfortably handles heavy European summer holiday charters alongside Greek military operations. Elevated 490 ft above sea level on an open coastal plateau, CHQ provides stable approaches over the Mediterranean Sea with full Category I precision guidance.

Runway Layout & Magnetic Alignments
Single paved Runway 11/29 (10,990 ft / 3,350 m).
Expansion Milestones & Predecessor Facilities
Established in 1954 on the Akrotiri peninsula, co-located with Souda Air Base. Upgraded with a modern civilian passenger terminal in 1996 and expanded further by Fraport Greece in 2018.
Regional Differentiation & Cluster Role
Primary western Crete tourism gateway, complementing Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis (HER, 51 NM east).
Data Nuances & Operational Quirks
Joint military-civil facility hosting Hellenic Air Force 115th Combat Wing and NATO naval support installations; civil charters share runway slots with military fighter patrols.
📚 Official Aerodrome Sourcing: Greece National Civil Aviation Authority · State Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) & ICAO Annex 14 Standards
Verification Methodology →

🔬 Operational & Aerodrome Engineering Comparative Analysis

Comparative aviation metrics evaluated against regional and global physical operational criteria.
ICAO Code 4E / 4F Super-Heavy
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Elevation & Atmospheric Density

Lowland / Coastal Basin Aerodrome

Chania International Airport operates at a surveyed field elevation of 490 ft (149 m MSL) in Souda. Situated in low-lying coastal terrain, the aerodrome benefits from dense ambient atmospheric pressure, maximizing turbine engine thrust and wing lift efficiency across all departure vectors.

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Regional Density & Alternates (100 NM)

0 Qualifying Aerodromes in Vicinity

Primary western Crete tourism gateway, complementing Heraklion Nikos Kazantzakis (HER, 51 NM east). The facility operates as an isolated regional aviation anchor with no other major paved commercial aerodromes within 100 NM.

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Fleet Compatibility & Ground Roll

Primary Runway: 10,982 ft (3,347 m)

Chania International Airport's active flight strips comprise 11/29 (10,982 ft). With a longest active threshold of 10,982 ft (3,347 m), the aerodrome satisfies unrestricted long-haul takeoff and landing distance requirements for heavy twin-aisle and four-engine widebodies (ICAO Code 4E/4F).

🛫 Physical Runway Inventory & Surface Engineering

Runway Designator Length (ft / m) Width (ft / m) Surface Material Lighting Status
11/29 10,982 ft (3347m) 148 ft (45m) Asphalt (ASP) ✅ Lighted ✅ Active

🛡️ Data Provenance & Verification Metadata

Source Dataset: OurAirports Open Aviation Database
Snapshot Version: 2026-09-01
Dataset Integrity: Cryptographic SHA-256 Checksum Verified & Fail-Closed Schema Inspected
Source Verification: Source-reported registry data
Read Complete Methodology & Verification Protocol → GET /api/airport/chq.json ↗